The Importance of Counseling

Counseling the noblest of professions with its prime motive of helping, is often taken for granted nor is given its importance as its true meaning is most often misunderstood by a large number of people as it becomes a commonality in society. We are counseled by Elders, Leaders and it is abundant in our day and has always been there.

Today many among us suffer from mental health challenges, relational struggles and many other issues that require specific guidance and therapeutic ways to solve underlying issues.Therefore Counseling can be defined as “a specific mental health discipline that includes aspects of guidance and psychotherapy” (Erford, 2018).

There are millions of people who have benefitted from counseling interventions and psychotherapy. The use of theories and empirically validated research developed methods, make a counselor profession accountable and ethical. So, it is safe to say that counseling is a practice that can be trusted as it doesn’t end with giving advice but goes way further using Psychotherapy and other counseling techniques to help individuals explore moods and behaviors, provide new perspectives, and offer a deeper understanding of one’s emotions.

Counseling can overall help improve a person’s mood, treat a diagnosed mental illness, reduce medical costs by aiming to treat the underlying fear behind the physical ailment as it’s well- known that the Body is capable of healing itself, improve communication and relationships, and promote self-esteem and resilience in individuals that face challenges in their everyday life.

There are a myriad of approaches and techniques Counselors use to help in the counseling process, for instance the common mental illness that has its diverse ways of affecting individuals like Depression and Anxiety is not loosely termed or diagnosed but its treated using research-backed methods that have scientific evidences for treating the particular disorder.

Therefore, counseling as a practice is not simply a naive term but its profession is taken up with research and evidence that aims to treat the person experiencing the symptoms of mental health issues. So if you are someone who is suffering from a mental health problem and aren’t sure of whom to confide in, never think that there is no one to listen or understand as the counselors are available to help you, treat you and give you the courage to face life head on.